At the gate he was met by the metropolitan, the bishops, the lords and the princes ranged in order of procession under the sacred banner.  Ivan IV. dismounted and addressed them in touching words of congratulation.  The response of the metropolitan was soulfull, flooding the eyes of the monarch and exciting all who heard it to the highest enthusiasm.

“As for us, O tzar,” he said, in conclusion, “in testimony of our gratitude for your toils and your glorious exploits, we prostrate ourselves before you.”

At these words the metropolitan, the clergy, the dignitaries and the people fell upon their knees before their sovereign, bowing their faces to the ground.  There were sobbings and shoutings, cries of benedictions and transports of joy.  The monarch was now conducted to the Kremlin, which had been rebuilt, and attended mass in the church of the Assumption.  He then hastened to the palace to greet his spouse.  The happy mother was in the chamber of convalescence with her beautiful boy at her side.  For once, at least, there was joy in a palace.

The enthusiasm which reigned in the capital and throughout all Russia was such as has never been surpassed.  The people, trained to faith and devotion, crowded the churches, which were constantly open, addressing incessant thanksgivings to Heaven.  The preachers exhausted the powers of eloquence in describing the grandeur of the actions of their prince—­his exertions, fatigues, bravery, the stratagems of war during the siege, the despairing ferocity of the Kezanians and the final and glorious result.

After several days passed in the bosom, of his family, Ivan gave a grand festival in his palace, on the 8th of November.  The metropolitan, the bishops, the abbes, the princes, and all the lords and warriors who had distinguished themselves during the siege of Kezan, were invited.  “Never,” say the annalists, “had there before been seen at Moscow a fete so sumptuous, joy so intense, or liberality so princely.”  The fete continued for three days, during which the emperor did not cease to distribute, with a liberal hand, proofs of his munificence.  His bounty was extended from the metropolitan bishop down to the humblest soldier distinguished for his bravery or his wounds.  The monarch, thus surrounded with glory, beloved by his people, the conqueror of a foreign empire and the pacificator of his own, distinguished for the nobleness of his personal character and the grandeur of his exploits, alike wise as a legislator and humane as a man, was still but twenty-two years of age.  His career thus far presents a phenomenon quite unparalleled in history.